Halloween is over and, all of a sudden, Christmas (or "Festival Holiday", for all you overly sensitive people, intolerant, religious freaks out there) decorations are up instantly. As if they were hiding, ready to pounce Halloween in the ass if it didn't get out of its way at midnight, on November 1st, so the economy could start its climb, amidst general fears from the world's population.
Because, after all, it’s money that matters most. It's what we live for. It's what allows us to survive, even. It's the most important commodity that allows of to stave off a poor lifestyle, even homelessness.

But, the world in general, has developed such a short memory, made shorter still by the drive of greed, the rat-race of egotistical self-worth - we all forget the single, most important event in our recent history - Rememberance Day.

The next time you walk into a store, browsing useless purses, or pressing the touch screen on the latest iPhone, getting excited over the upcoming sale in this week's god-forsaken flyer about a new 1000 inch flat-screen TV, take just ONE minute and try to imagine what it must have felt like for a soldier, on either side of any war, and all the conceiveable emotions and thoughts that must had occurred.
The next time you flip pages through a catalog, or browse a website for a better deal, try to imagine the cold, insurmountable fear and the sanity-shattering realization of taking a life away out of necessity.
The next time you go shopping for jewlery and attributing its price amount at high value as well, try to imagine the dying soldier, clinging to that one, small token that represents his/her bond with the one left behind, to defend to the bitter end.

Why? Because if it weren't for those soldiers, whom have paid the ultimate price whether it be with their own lives, physical and irreparable alterations, or their mental health that wars inflict without mercy, you'd probably be holding a gun, chilled to the bone, hugging a miniature cup of barely steaming rationed water, clinging to whatever shreds of sanity you have left, reliving the atrocity and reality of having to kill people so others you are defending might live at least a day longer and wonder how in the hell you will survive the next five minutes while you can still hear the guns shouting their deathly paean.
To live, so that you can take it for granted later on.

Because, that we take it for granted, there is no doubt.
But despite that saddening fact, it's not impossible to Remember, if at least only for a minute. Nor is it impossible to realize the sacrifices that have been made, for us all. Keeping in mind, especially, that at most times in history, those sacrifices were NOT voluntary.

The point I'm trying to make is not really against individuals, entirely - albeit most of them are ignorant of historical events. Even those of the most recent past.
Instead, this is my own extra tribute and appreciation to the fallen ones, the doomed ones, the forever lost ones. The ones we should always revere and respect, especially over holiday-induced fevers.

Why can't we put aside our greed and material obsession and wait until AFTER Rememberance Day to fling up decorations and do our damnest to part the gullible from their money with supposed hot deals, concealing various hidden fees, simply to fill ourselves with useless items, emptying our wallets simultaneously, and most probably for mere temporary shred of gratitude in comparison?
Why can't we give more of ourselves on that day? The price is free, yet is worth everything you have and live for.

Wear a poppy proudly.
Shake a veteran's hand, and I sincerely hope you feel awe and humble while doing so.
Thank a veteran for what they have done, to have paid a price forcibly that none should.
Honour veterans for their valour and courage, for the days and nights they gave up, for a stable life we have in exchange for one born out of the trenches of a nightmare; what they faced is beyond anything we can imagine and understand, and more so are the consequences.

I dedicate this to all the veterans. To all the fallen ones. To all those whom have vanished from our history. To all those that continue to struggle. To all that sacrificed so much, and more.
I also dedicate this to members of my own family I didn't get to know - yet whose stories I have heard.

Lest We Forget...
Thank you, all of you... always. I wouldn't have the ability and freedom to write a single word without all that you have done for me.